The Fulshear Police Department has issued a community warning after seeing an increase in fraud attempts fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). Officers say scammers are using these advanced tools to trick residents into giving away money or personal information.

“Technology is moving fast, and unfortunately, criminals are finding new ways to take advantage of it,” the department’s notice shared. “Our goal is to make sure Fulshear families know what to look for and how to protect themselves.”

Among the biggest threats highlighted is voice cloning, where scammers use AI to mimic a loved one’s voice almost perfectly. Residents may receive calls from someone claiming to be their child or grandchild in distress, asking for help or urgent financial support. Police stress the importance of pausing before acting and verifying by calling the person back directly on a trusted number.

Another growing danger is deepfake photos and videos, which can make fake images look authentic. These are sometimes used to create pressure-filled situations where victims feel compelled to act quickly.

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Phishing scams are also on the rise. With the help of AI, criminals can now write professional-looking emails and text messages free of obvious mistakes. Police say to be especially cautious of messages that:

• Contain urgent requests for money or login details
• Include links to unfamiliar websites
• Come from email addresses that look slightly misspelled

In addition, officers warn that scammers may use AI chatbots to impersonate banks or customer service representatives, making fraudulent interactions seem credible. Residents should never share sensitive information such as PINs, account numbers, or verification codes over the phone or online unless they initiated the contact.

The department encourages residents to take three key steps to protect themselves:

• Pause before acting on urgent requests.
• Verify identities through a second trusted source.
• Report suspicious activity to the Fulshear Police Department.

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Police also ask residents to spread the word to neighbors and friends. “Together, we can stay one step ahead of scammers,” the notice concluded.

As Fulshear continues to grow, local officials say awareness and communication remain some of the strongest defenses against fraud. Residents are encouraged to share this information widely so the community can remain safe and connected.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.